Welcome fall with a bright, cheerful mantel display curated with a minimalist approach. Forgo the clutter found in the holiday aisle and instead add subtle nods to fall foliage and nature. Let the kids get in on the fun by helping you string a DIY garland across your mantel, or design your very own wreath to showcase above. Learn how to create a fabulous fall mantel display complete with harvest motifs and autumn craft projects, below.

Fall Foliage

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A full, lush garland is more appropriate for winter than fall, so get inspired by autumn foliage for your garland as the trees start to lose their leaves. Begin the first layer of your mantel with a thin bed of green leaves. Cut from faux branches or the real-deal; faux greenery is easy to come by and looks beautiful, especially against a stark white backdrop. Then add pops of color with a layer of bright yellow, red, and orange leaves. Use the foliage to build up bare areas and artfully drape around larger items.

Patched Together

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As you stock up on large carving pumpkins, consider all the types of pumpkins available. Smaller options are less expensive and come in a variety of colors including orange, white, and even green. Choose pumpkins that range in size for a layered look, and look for those with long, curvy stems. If kept uncarved, pumpkins and gourds will look great all season long.

No-Fuss Fall Wreath

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Can't wait until winter to hang up your seasonal wreath? No need to wait any longer, because fall wreaths can be just as festive and more appropriate for the cooling weather. Store-bought wreaths work fine, but to get decor that truly matches your display it's best to make it yourself. By starting with a simple twig wreath from your local crafts store, you can build layers of wheat, faux fall flowers, leaves, berries, and more until you have the look of your dreams. To make this fall wreath and see more DIY ideas, check out our wreath inspiration.

Layered Look

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Bring some texture to your fall mantel design by layering two DIY garlands for one cohesive look. Here, we draped a beaded garland across the mantel followed by an adorable string of acorns. By placing the minimalistic beads in back, the acorns are the star of the show. Both of these projects look good on their own, but together, they're festive as can be. Start your fall crafting now by making this garland of beads or leather acorn banner.

Fill in the Blanks

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Once you have the main components of your mantel set, fill in the gaps with various fall decor items. On the left, we placed simple white pillar candles on top of short white birch logs. When working with candles and decor, we always recommend using LED or flameless candles for safety. Balance tall items with layered empty frames, which add subtle rustic style.